"Your excellency," he stammered, "I never could tax my memory with their outlandish names." "It is of no consequence," said the Governor. "A Jew is a Jew. We will make an example of the entire tribe. And now, good Basilivitch, of what do the people complain?" "It is a mere bagatelle, your excellency. They would like to imitate their betters and live a life of ease and luxury; as though a serf were created for anything but labor. They complain that they cannot lie upon a bed of roses. They want their taxes remitted and would like their children to be sent to school, to be brought up to detest honest work." "Preposterous!" exclaimed the Governor. "What else have they to complain of?" "They say that, while they must toil from morning till night, the Jews do nothing but amass wealth; that they must provide men for the army, while the Jews remain at home." "Stop!" cried the Governor in a fury. "Is what they say concerning the Jews true?" "It is, your excellency. They do not work in the fields, they have no trades, they simply buy and sell and make money." The Governor paced the room in silence, an occasional vehement gesture alone giving evidence of the agitation or fear that was raging within him. Finally, he stopped and stood before the obsequious Basilivitch. "We will find a plan to humble the haughty race," he said. "Return to Togarog and keep your eyes open. Make out a list of the Jews in the village, and find out exactly how many boys there are in each family, and what are their ages. We will remove the brats from their parents' influence and send them to the army, where they will soon become loyal soldiers and faithful Catholics. Bring me the names of the _moujiks_ who supported Podoloff in his rebellion. I shall send them to Siberia to reflect on the uncertainty of human aspirations. Now, go! Here is a rouble for you. Should any new symptoms of revolt show themselves, send me word at once." Scarcely had the door closed upon Basilivitch, before the Governor rang for his Secretary. "Send two officers to Togarog at once," he commanded. "It appears my good serfs are becoming unruly, and would like a taste of freedom. Let the officers disguise themselves as peasants, and carefully observe every action of Podoloff and his friends. Let our faithful Basilivitch also be watched. I have my suspicions concerning that fellow. He is too ready with his information." The Secretary left the room to fulfil the Governor's instructions, while Basilivitch remounted his horse and returned to his _kretschma_, to serve, with smiling countenance and friendly mien, the men whom he had devoted to irretrievable ruin. CHAPTER III. A FAMILY IN ISRAEL.